"Psoriasis Is Not Just Skin Deep”

Posted on October 21 2014

While experts have known for quite some time now that those who have the skin condition known as psoriasis are more likely to suffer from things like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and strokes, recent study findings suggest that getting severe psoriasis under better control might be able to help improve the cardiovascular health of those with the condition. The study, which can be found in the Oct. 15 issue of the journal JAMA Dermatology, found that people who have severe psoriasis (severe meaning it affects 10% or more of their skin) were 48% more likely to have poorly controlled blood pressure, in comparison to those that don’t have the skin condition.

Psoriasis is a condition that affects the skin, although it has also been known to have an impact on the individual’s cardiovascular health as well being associated with conditions like diabetes and depression. This autoimmune disease causes patches of red, bumpy, scaly skin to appear. It can occur in people of all ages and can show up on any part of the body. It can be itchy, painful, and unsightly, having a negative impact on the individual’s self-esteem and overall quality of life.

In order to conduct the study researchers analyzed the electronic medical records of over 13,000 participants from the United Kingdom, at least 1,300 of which had psoriasis. As a result, researchers found that:

-- 60% of those with severe psoriasis had uncontrolled high blood pressure

-- Those with severe psoriasis (meaning it affects 10% of their skin) were 48% more likely to have poorly controlled blood pressure

-- Those with moderate psoriasis (meaning it affects 3% of their skin) had a 20% higher risk

While researchers admit that further studies still need to be done to prove the exact cause-and-effect relationship, the current study was able to confirm that there is definitely an association between psoriasis and cardiovascular health. These findings are significant because, like Dr. Jerry Bagel (a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation medical board and director of the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey, who was not a part of the current study) says, “psoriasis is not just skin deep, […] “it's important for primary care doctors to be aware that patients with psoriasis are at risk of uncontrolled hypertension.”